Second Bite of the Apple

Chapter 19: Extra-Curricular

Chapter 19: Extra-Curricular

I spent the whole weekend in bed. I'm not even sorry. Countless texts came through from Ethan, most of which I ignored. I just didn't have the energy to tell him about Matt or about Laura. Although I was starting to question whether there was anything to tell. I hadn't received a single email from Laura, not one. She was probably bored of me already and thought I was just some goody-two-shoes who was afraid of a little risk. My dreams mainly consisted of the same party nightmare, except that this time I could feel that the dark shadow invading my innocence was Matt. A few times I saw Laura too, her hands were all over a gorgeous brunette with waist-length hair and a figure to die for. My mind really was a lonely place to be right now.

When Monday morning came around, I put my face back on again. My eyes were heavily lined in kohl, a feable attempt to prevent anyone seeing just how much pain was behind the mask. I held my head high as I paced through the corridors, not letting anyone see just how broken I was. I knew the minute I let the cracks begin to show, I would crumble completely.

The sky had darkened substantially in the past few days and there was definitely a threat of rain. Unfortunately, that meant the only viable hideout I had for break and lunch time was the music department. I didn't want to face Laura but at the same time I wasn't prepared to hide away. I hadn't done anything wrong. Well, besides spending the night at her place and sleeping with her...

Okay, I am an awful person.

Ethan sent me three texts, and that was just during break.

Ethan: Sian, where are you?

Ethan: Are you ignoring me?

Ethan: Have I done something wrong or has something happened? I'm worried about you!

I ignored him. I still wasn't quite sure why I was mad at Ethan, or if I even was. I just knew I didn't want to be attached to him anymore and I didn't want to let him into the drama that I was currently so caught up in.

I jumped as somebody knocked firmly on the door of the practice room I was residing in, convinced Laura had found me. It was Darby. She pushed the door open as I looked up.

"Sian, I'm so sorry to bother you but I don't suppose you could give us hand in the office please? We've just got a new order in and I don't even know where to start!"

"Of course," I said politely, but inside my heart was pounding.

I followed her down the corridor and to the office, my legs turning to jelly with each step I took. Lo and behold, Laura was sitting cross-legged on the floor, arranging stacks of paper into piles.

"I found us an extra pair of hands," Darby said chirpily, clearly oblivious to the tension that had just filled the room.

"Well, let's put those hands to good use then shall we?" Laura teased, indicating the boxes of music stacked just inside the door.

"I'm just nipping to the stationary cupboard to get some more folders," Darby announced, still oblivious, "I won't be long."

The stationary cupboard was the other side of the school, on the first floor. That was at least 15 minutes she would be gone. I immediately started panicking at the prospect of spending so long alone with Laura, but the carnal look in her eye clearly indicated she was weighing up just how much we could do in 15 minutes without getting caught. I turned away to the boxes, not giving her the satisfaction, considering how she ignored me all weekend. Besides, if Darby caught us, we would both be screwed.

"Did you miss me?" Laura breathed against my neck suddenly.

I jumped, not realising she was standing behind me, simultaneously dropping a whole bunch of paper I had just picked up.

"Stop it!" I cried in frustration. "You can't do this!"

"Do what?" she questioned innocently, slowly bending down to pick up the fallen paper. "I'm not doing anything wrong."

She paused with her hand hovering over the paper, her eyes fixed on mine, gazing up seductively through thick lashes. She pulled her lower lip briefly between her teeth and I felt my knees go weak. I have no self control these days. Without breaking eye contact for even a second, she felt for the paper, picked it up and then pulled herself gradually up to full height, her body skimming mine ever so slightly, until we were face to face. Her face was inches from mine, her eyes wide.

"We can't do this," I said firmly taking the paper from her grasp and then turning away.

Every part of me wanted to turn back around, push her up against the door and kiss her with every inch of my life. I wanted to make up for the long weekend without her embrace, without her soft lips, without her extravagant world away from my crappy reality. But I knew I couldn't escape, it was time to face my reality and remember who I was.

Once Darby returned, we carried on working in silence. The work was tedious but it gave me a purpose and kept me from thinking about everything else going on. None of us had lessons after break so we carried on until only one pile remained.

"We could use you around here more often," Darby smiled, looking around at the colour coded folder system we had created.

"You know me, always happy to help," I replied, flashing her a charming smile.

I could see Laura grinning behind Darby's back, clearly amused by my smarmy attitude. It made me realise just how little she really knew me.

"I could do with a hand later, if you're free?" Laura directed at me, a smile playing on her lips.

"Of course," I said through gritted teeth, forcing myself to match her jovial tone whilst in Mrs Darby's presence. "Anyway, I should probably go, I have Psychology next."

"Thank you so much for all of your help Sian, you're an absolute star" Mrs Darby thanked me as I gathered up my bag. "Have a digestive, or three, you deserve it."

I took one so as not to hurt Mrs Darby's feelings and then rushed off towards Psychology, dropping the biscuit in the first bin I passed. I had no appetite. In fact, I felt positively nauseous.

The whole way through Psychology I could barely keep my mind on the subject. Every time I heard the word love, or relationships, or sex, my heart skipped a beat and I found my mind wandering back to last week. I found myself wondering if Laura really needed my help later or whether she just wanted to get me alone. Did I really care? Either way, she wanted me.

I fely my phone vibrate but didn't dare check it in class. Once the lunch bell rang, I hit the unlock button to see Ethan's name across the screen.

Ethan: Can I walk you home?

Me: Can't sorry. Promised I'd help out in music after school.

I regretted it almost as soon as I'd pressed send. The last thing I wanted was Ethan knowing that I was spending time with Miss Foster after hours.

Ethan: You can't avoid me forever, Sian.

I knew he was right.

True to my word, I made my way to the music department after the final bell rung, not knowing what would be waiting for me When I walked through the door, thankfully Darby was no where to be seen which meant I didn't have to make pleasantries.

"Sian," Laura's face lit up in delight, "Grab your coat, we're getting out of here."

I spun wildly on the spot, so used to following orders that I didn't think twice, before realisation hit me.

"I didn't bring a coat," I laughed, unable to keep the smile from my lips.

"Well then, just bring yourself," she chuckled, throwing me her car keys.

Too eager to know what she had planned, I headed out to the carpark, all logic quickly going out of my head. Laura climbed in beside me and the engine roared into life. I wound the window down a little and let the wind tear through my hair as we hit the main road and picked up speed. The mystery was slightly exhilerating but it didn't last long. All too soon, we were pulling into a deserted field. Laura didn't stop at the edge but went completely off road, mounting the wild grass and skidding to a halt 15 metres or so into the field.

"When you said you needed a hand..." I raised my eyebrow in suspicion.

"Hand, arm, leg... I'm not fussed. I just want you."